Thursday, February 24, 2011

Criminal Investigation

The Hollywood Hills home where Los Angeles City fireifghter Glenn Allen was fatally injured last week has been declared a crime scene according to The Los Angeles Daily News.

The Daily News quotes Los Angeles P.D. officer Diana Figueroa of the department's Media Relations Office as saying "It has been declared a crime scene, and the Robbery Homicide Division is handling the investigation"


According to the Daily News, investigators from the police department, the fire department and building officials were trying to determine if the recently remodeled home was up to building and safety codes. 


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Interesting. Though it has probably happened in the past, I can't remember a property owner being investigated or prosecuted for the death of a firefighter from an accidental fire. I am guessing that the investigators are going to look at whether any remodeling done to the structure was up to code and if so, were the plans approved by the building department, inspections performed and signed off. 


If all of the requirements were met, does the city building department have any liability in the matter? It will be interesting to see the outcome of this investigation, I'd bet that the investigators already have a good idea what went on with the structure if they are turning it over to the PD, they have their own investigation unit.

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A candlelight vigil for FF Allen will be held tonight at LAFD Station 78 in Studio City, with the funeral tomorrow at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the FF Allen's family and to the LAFD.

Thanks for reading,
Schmoe

1 comment:

  1. It will be interesting to see what the results of the investigation are. The initial reports make it sound like a major cause is the use of PVC lines for residential sprinkler systems (allowable under code). If this found to be a cause, it will be in the midst of a major push to require residential sprinklers in new construction - PA being a recent example.

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